Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch went 25 of 36 for 276 yards, one touchdown and one interception in leading Pittsburgh past the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Batch started in place of injured starter Ben Roethlisberger and injured backup Byron Leftwich.

Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch went 25 of 36 for 276 yards, one touchdown and one interception in leading Pittsburgh past the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Batch started in place of injured starter Ben Roethlisberger and injured backup Byron Leftwich. (US Presswire)

Ravens punt returner Jacoby Jones races past a group of Steelers defenders for a 63-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The Ravens held on for a 13-10 win over the Steelers, who were playing without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Ravens punt returner Jacoby Jones races past a group of Steelers defenders for a 63-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The Ravens held on for a 13-10 win over the Steelers, who were playing without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. (Lloyd Fox / Baltimore Sun)

Torrey Smith picks up a first down in the fourth quarter. The rookie from Maryland caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Joe Flacco with eight seconds remaining.

Torrey Smith picks up a first down in the fourth quarter. The rookie from Maryland caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Joe Flacco with eight seconds remaining. (Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.)

McPhee, a starting defensive end, has missed the past two games with a thigh injury. Asked about him today, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said, "He's getting closer. We'll see how it goes this week."

Ngata, the Pro Bowl defensive tackle who has been dealing with shoulder and knee injuries, was active against the Raiders but never entered the game. He missed pretty much all of practice time last week.

Smith was active for the Raiders game but like Ngata, he did not play. On Tuesday, the Ravens signed veteran cornerback Chris Johnson, but Harbaugh said that shouldn't necessarily be looked at as an indication of Smith's condition.

"You can’t have enough corners. We all know that," Harbaugh said. "Jimmy’s got the groin issue. We’re going to have to take that day by day and see where we’re at. But it helps to have Chris Johnson here. … He had a great workout yesterday. He looked really good, great guy, a guy that we’ve always kind of respected as a player. So we’re very excited to have him on board.”

As we await a week filled with speculation about Ben Roethlisberger’s playing status for Sunday’s AFC North showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, it’s pretty remarkable that the latest chapter in this rivalry could be played without Roethlisberger,...